Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., quietly prays before the Blessed Sacrament in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, West Trenton, one of the churches he visited as part of the Diocese's participation in “24 Hours for the Lord.” Courtesy photo

I didn’t know what to expect as I opened the door to St. Joseph Church in Trenton shortly after 10 p.m. on Friday, March 9.

Despite the late hour, well over 100 people were scattered throughout the Church in silent prayer as 10 parish churches in the four counties of the Diocese celebrated this Lent’s “24 Hours for the Lord,” offering the Sacrament of Penance and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament literally around the clock.More ...Saturday, March 10, 2018

When Pope Francis called on faithful around the world to join in the second annual 24 Hours for the Lord initiative, he asked that at least one church in each diocese open its doors around the clock for Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation March 9 and 10.

That request was honored across the Trenton Diocese as parishes in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties accepted the invitation from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to “take advantage of this special time of grace and penance.”

There are few things I enjoy more than watching Jacques Pépin cook on public television.

Pépin, whose most recent book is “Heart and Soul in the Kitchen,” conveys such love of family and food and his recipes are so warmly adaptable that it often seems like a favorite uncle has welcomed me to the counter to learn at his side.

Over the years, many wonderful friends have volunteered in the mission fields and brought back not only moving stories of their time but great recipes to share as well. One of the first to do so spent a year in Kerala, India, and returned with great insights about the Saint Thomas Christians who trace their origins to St. Thomas the Apostle in the first century.More ...Friday, February 23, 2018

The St. Vincent de Paul Society Diocese of Trenton will sponsor a production of “Sister’s Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny Go to Heaven?” at 7:30 p.m. March 24 in St. Denis School, Manasquan.More ...Friday, February 23, 2018

So, this morning we ask ourselves some rather thought provoking questions: What is prayer? What does prayer mean? How do we pray? Now all of these questions have an answer, but that answer varies tremendously based on the individual. Because that is one of the greatest thing about prayer, it is so flexible!More ...Thursday, February 22, 2018

Having a relationship with God is the most important thing in life. Speaking to God through prayer and mass, working for Him, and finding Him through other people’s words or actions is vital to maintain a strong relationship. Personally, I have had a strong relationship with God, but it has not always been a perfect one.More ...Thursday, February 22, 2018

The onset of the Lenten season traditionally leads to faithful entering a mode of self-reflection.

In this spirit, Father Jason M. Parzynski, chaplain in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, shared his own Lenten reflection – along with those of two students – with the entire campus community as well as The Monitor.

St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, will hold a Lenten parish mission “The Challenge of Faith: Living with God’s Mercy and Love” 8:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. March 19 to 21 in the church at 3500 South Broad Street.More ...Thursday, February 22, 2018

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced Feb. 20 that the Diocese of Trenton will join the worldwide Catholic community in observing 24 Hours for the Lord, an initiative requested by Pope Francis and set for March 9 and 10.

In his 2018 Lenten message, Pope Francis invited dioceses, parishes and faith communities to join him in the initiative for the second consecutive year. He asked that at least one church in each diocese remain open for 24 consecutive hours over the prescribed dates.More ...Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Sitting in the nave of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Hightstown, which was illuminated by the sun shining through the stained-glass windows, about 100 faithful gathered for the noon Ash Wednesday prayer service Feb. 14 were reminded about what it means to receive ashes and the start of the Lenten season.More ...Thursday, February 15, 2018

As Christians around the world marked the beginning of Lent by receiving ashes in the form of a cross on their foreheads Feb. 14, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., urged the faithful gathered in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral to view this time as one when “we have the opportunity to draw closer to God, to embrace him and welcome him back into our lives again.”More ...Wednesday, February 14, 2018

In preparation for adding new Lenten recipes to Keeping the Feast every year, I review past columns which, including print and internet editions, go back 16 years. Doing so sheds a lot of light on ever-evolving culinary trends as well as how faith and food can work hand in hand to make the most of this important season.More ...Tuesday, February 13, 2018